Victory at Verrado vs. Sun City Festival vs. CantaMia: Which Active Adult 55+ Lifestyle Fits You?

If you're relocating to Buckeye, AZ and you're 55+, you've probably already heard the buzz about three standout active adult communities: Victory at Verrado, Sun City Festival, and CantaMia. Each one offers a completely different lifestyle experience, and the right choice depends on what kind of retirement you're building.

I'm Andrew Texidor, Realtor with Clearly Sold, brokered by HomeSmart, and I help active adults navigate these moves every week. This post breaks down what makes each community unique, who thrives there, and how to decide which one fits your next chapter.

Why Buckeye for active adults?

Buckeye is exploding as one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and it's not just families chasing school districts. Active adults are choosing Buckeye because:

• Affordability: You get more home, more amenities, and more lifestyle for your money compared to Scottsdale or central Phoenix.

• Master-planned living: These aren't just neighborhoods, they're resort-style communities with full-time activities, clubs, and events.

• Proximity: You're 30–40 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor, Glendale sports venues, and West Valley shopping without the traffic chaos of central Phoenix.

• Climate & views: Buckeye sits at higher elevation with stunning mountain backdrops and cleaner air.

Now let's break down the "Big Three."

Victory at Verrado: Modern hillside living with a mountain-top club

Victory at Verrado is the newest and most elevated (literally) of the three. Built into the hillside at Verrado, Victory offers contemporary homes with sweeping views of the White Tank Mountains and the valley below.

What makes Victory different:

• The Victory Club: This is the crown jewel, a 23,000-square-foot private clubhouse perched at the top of the community with panoramic views. It includes a fitness center, infinity-edge pool, spa, yoga studio, and demonstration kitchen.

• Modern architecture: Homes here lean contemporary with open floor plans, high ceilings, and oversized windows designed to capture those views.

• Verrado lifestyle access: Victory residents also get access to the broader Verrado community amenities, including the Main Street walkable town center, farmers markets, concerts, and festivals.

• Smaller, boutique feel: Victory is more intimate than Sun City Festival, with a tighter-knit vibe and fewer homes overall.

Who thrives at Victory:

Victory attracts The Modernist, active adults who want a sleek, design-forward home with a wow factor. If you're the type who appreciates craft cocktails on a terrace with a view, contemporary art, and a smaller social circle, Victory is your spot.

Sun City Festival: The classic Del Webb social experience

Sun City Festival is the gold standard for active adult living in the West Valley. Developed by Del Webb, this is a massive, established community with over 6,000 homes and amenities that rival a five-star resort.

What makes Sun City Festival different:

• Golf: The Copper Canyon Golf Course is a 27-hole championship layout that serious golfers rave about. It's consistently ranked among the top courses in the region.

• The Sage Center & The Saguaro: Two massive recreation centers with state-of-the-art fitness facilities, resort-style pools, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce ball, softball stadium, and a 9,000-square-foot wood shop and craft studio.

• Clubs & activities: Over 100 clubs ranging from fine arts to car clubs, line dancing to astronomy. There's a full-time activities director and a jam-packed calendar.

• Social buzz: If you want a community where there's always something happening, Sun City Festival delivers. This is the place for people who want to be busy and connected.

Who thrives at Sun City Festival:

Sun City Festival is built for The Golfer and The Social Butterfly. If you play 18 holes twice a week, host dinner parties, join clubs, and want to meet 50 new friends in your first month, this is your community.

CantaMia: Eco-friendly living with a private beach club vibe

CantaMia sits within the larger Estrella community and offers something the other two don't: lake access. This is a more laid-back, nature-focused lifestyle with a strong emphasis on sustainability and outdoor living.

What makes CantaMia different:

• Lake access & beach club: CantaMia residents have exclusive access to the Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater and beach club, where you can kayak, paddleboard, or just relax by the water.

• Eco-conscious builds: Homes here are designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind, featuring solar options, water-wise landscaping, and green building practices.

• Estrella community perks: You also get access to the broader Estrella amenities, including miles of trails, parks, and a championship golf course.

• Quieter, nature-centric vibe: CantaMia feels more like a retreat than a bustling resort. It's for people who value outdoor space, trails, and a slower pace.

Who thrives at CantaMia:

CantaMia is perfect for The Nature Lover and The Eco-Conscious Retiree. If your idea of a perfect Saturday is kayaking at sunrise, hiking in the afternoon, and grilling on your patio at sunset, CantaMia is calling your name.

Quick-reference lifestyle fit guide

Here's how to think about which community fits your retirement style:

How do I decide which one is right for me?

Ask yourself these three questions:

1. What does your ideal Saturday look like?

• If it's golf, clubs, and dinner with friends → Sun City Festival

• If it's a morning hike, lake kayaking, and quiet patio time → CantaMia

• If it's yoga at the club, brunch with a view, and an art gallery stroll → Victory at Verrado

• How important is resale and appreciation?

• Victory at Verrado is the newest and most modern, which can support higher appreciation.

• Sun City Festival has the Del Webb brand and established resale market.

• CantaMia offers unique lake access, which is rare in the desert and appeals to a specific buyer.

• What's your budget and downsizing goal?

• Victory tends to be at the higher end of the spectrum due to views and modern finishes.

• Sun City Festival offers a wide range of price points and floor plans.

• CantaMia sits in the middle, with eco-friendly features adding long-term value.

How Clearly Sold helps you downsize and move with equity intact

Here's the reality of relocating to Buckeye from out of state or downsizing from a larger Phoenix-area home: every dollar of equity you save on the sale matters when you're buying into one of these communities.

That's where Clearly Sold's $8,888 flat fee listing changes the game. Instead of paying 5–6% in commissions on your current home, you pay a transparent flat fee of $8,888 to list your home with full-service marketing, professional photography, AI-powered listing optimization, and expert negotiation.

Here's how the fee structure works:

• $8,888 to list your home with full marketing, MLS exposure, and expert representation.

• If Clearly Sold brings an unrepresented buyer through our own marketing, systems, and technology, an additional $8,888 buyer-side fee applies.

• If another agent brings the buyer, their commission is negotiated separately.

What that means for your move: If you're selling a $500,000 home in Phoenix and buying a $450,000 home in Victory at Verrado, saving $15,000–$20,000 in listing commissions gives you more cash for upgrades, furniture, or travel.

Want more details on navigating your move? Download our 55+ Relocation Guide and other free e-books on our Resources Page. You'll get step-by-step checklists, downsizing strategies, and insider tips for buying in Buckeye's active adult communities.

Take the next step

Ready to explore Victory at Verrado, Sun City Festival, or CantaMia? Here's how we help:

1. Schedule a community tour: I'll set up private tours of all three so you can see the lifestyle firsthand.

2. Run the numbers: We'll build a custom downsizing plan that shows you exactly how much equity you'll keep with Clearly Sold's flat fee model.

3. Coordinate your move: From selling your current home to closing on your new one, we handle the timeline, paperwork, and logistics, even if you're relocating from out of state.

Call or text me at 623-400-5957 or email [email protected] to start the conversation. No pressure, just straight answers and a clear plan.

FAQ: Buckeye active adult communities

Which Buckeye 55+ community has the best golf?

Sun City Festival's Copper Canyon Golf Course is the standout for serious golfers. It's a 27-hole championship layout with well-maintained greens and challenging play. CantaMia also has access to Estrella's golf course, but it's not exclusive to the 55+ community.

Can I rent out my home in these communities?

Most active adult communities have restrictions on rentals to maintain the 55+ lifestyle and owner-occupancy feel. Victory at Verrado, Sun City Festival, and CantaMia all have HOA rules governing rentals, so check the specific CC&Rs before buying if rental income is part of your plan.

What are the HOA fees in these communities?

HOA fees vary by community and home size but generally range from $150–$300/month. These fees cover amenities, common area maintenance, and community activities. Sun City Festival tends to be on the higher end due to the sheer volume of amenities.

Do I need to be 55+ to buy in these communities?

Yes, all three communities are age-restricted, meaning at least one person in the household must be 55 or older, and no one under 19 can be a permanent resident.

Which community has the best resale value?

Sun City Festival has the strongest resale track record due to Del Webb's brand recognition and the established buyer pool. Victory at Verrado is newer and commands premium pricing due to views and modern design. CantaMia's unique lake access appeals to a specific buyer, which can support strong resale in the right market.

Final thoughts

Choosing between Victory at Verrado, Sun City Festival, and CantaMia isn't about picking the "best" community: it's about finding the one that fits your lifestyle, budget, and vision for retirement.

If you want sleek, modern living with panoramic views, go Victory. If you want resort-style amenities and a packed social calendar, go Sun City Festival. If you want lake access, eco-friendly living, and a quieter vibe, go CantaMia.

The right move starts with the right information, and that's what we do at Clearly Sold. Let's get you touring, strategizing, and ready to make the move that fits your next chapter.

Andrew Texidor
Realtor, Clearly Sold
Brokered by HomeSmart
📞 623-400-5957
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 ClearlySold.com

Andrew Texidor, founder of Rewarding Heroes and Clearly Sold brokered by HomeSmart, is a certified AI agent.